Target Muscle

    Upper Back

    Equipment

    Body Weight

    Difficulty

    Beginner

    Category

    Strength

    Bodyweight Standing Single Arm Row

    The bodyweight standing one arm row is a unilateral exercise targeting the upper back, performed by hinging at the hips and pulling a weight toward the chest with one arm.

    Also Works

    BicepsForearms

    How to Perform

    1. 1

      Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a dumbbell in one hand.

    2. 2

      Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.

    3. 3

      Let the dumbbell hang straight down in front of you, with your arm fully extended.

    4. 4

      Pull the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body.

    5. 5

      Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement.

    6. 6

      Lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.

    7. 7

      Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

    Pro Tips

    • Grab a sturdy doorframe, post, or rack with one hand and lean back until your arm is fully extended.
    • Pull yourself toward the anchor by driving your elbow back and squeezing your shoulder blade.
    • Keep your body straight from head to heels and resist rotating as you pull.

    Common Mistakes

    • Not leaning back far enough, which reduces the bodyweight resistance and makes the exercise too easy.
    • Rotating the torso toward the pulling arm instead of maintaining a square torso throughout the movement.
    • Using the free arm to push against the anchor for assistance, which defeats the single-arm isolation purpose.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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